Habitat for Humanity projects starting in Escondido

ESCONDIDO —— San Diego Habitat for Humanity is seeking
applicants to help build 14 affordable homes in Escondido, which
they would eventually own.

Two sites of seven homes each are scheduled for construction in
early 2006. One is at 1161 E. Lincoln Avenue near Ash Street, and
the other is at 403 W. 6th Avenue near Orange Street.

Prospective homeowners must be Escondido residents and earn an
annual income between $24,850 and $45,550, depending on family
size. A family of four, for instance, qualifies with an income
between $27,600 and $34,500. A family of six qualifies with an
income between $32,000 and $40,000. The San Diego region's median
income for a family of four is roughly $69,000.

Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit agency that helps low-income
families nationwide to become homeowners, has worked on several
projects in Escondido over the last decade. Most recently, the
nonprofit opened a dozen townhouses on the corner of Hickory Street
and East Washington Avenue last year.

Families admitted to Habitat's programs are required to help
with the construction of the homes. Each adult family member must
contribute 250 hours of "sweat equity" or free labor toward their
new home. If homebuyers are not in appropriate physical condition
for a construction site, they can perform administrative duties
with Habitat, said Kim Cruz, San Diego Habitat for Humanity's
director of development.

"We depend on volunteer labor, beyond just the applicant
families," Cruz said. "We've got great construction supervisors who
instruct everyone on the task of the day."

After the families move in, they make payments on an
interest-free mortgage at a level not more than 30 percent of their
monthly income. The final prices of the 14 homes have not been set,
but Cruz estimated each would be between $150,000 and $200,000.

The Escondido City Council narrowly approved the Lincoln Avenue
project in July. Council members Marie Waldron and Sam Abed voted
against the project, saying they wanted to target affordable
housing projects toward families with 80 percent of the area's
median income: around $55,000. That amount is higher than
Escondido's median income of about $47,000.

The city of Escondido has allocated $950,000 in zero-interest
loans over the last two years for Habitat to build the Lincoln
Avenue project.

Prospective homeowners are required to attend an orientation
session at 7 p.m. Nov. 29. at East Valley Community Center, 2245 E.
Valley Parkway. Reservations are required and can be made at (619)
283-4663, Ext. 314.